rOcKS @ 'Sunday in the Park...' and checking up on 'Spring Awakening'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 2:21pm

I honestly can't say I was as enthralled by the current production of SUNDAY as most others were. To start, and to be fair, when reviewing a revival, you are reviewing the production, the cast, the direction, etc, NOT the material. I was never a huge fan of SUNDAY. I never thought it was Sondheim's best although I never thught it was his worst either. It always seemed to fall in a gray area for me. To be completely honest, I always thought (and I'm ready to get bashed for this) that parts were just plain boring and at times it teetered on the side of pretentious. That being said, I do think there are moments of genius in Sondheim and Lapine's writing that are incomparably beautiful. I was just never a believer in the show being Sondheim's masterpiece. I think that title belongs to SWEENEY.

This production does the material service and while it soared at moments, never really met expectations for me. The direction is really nice and incredibly innovative, the projections are stunning and really helped in moving the show along, not just as a gimmick, the costumes are lovely, and the orchestrations are a bit too bare.

The performances, I thought, were the only things that really struck a chord. Best of all, of course, are Jenna Russell and Daniel Evans. Both are entirely believable in both of their roles and are enormously talented. I think they are more prevalent forces in their respective Tony categories than most others do. We'll see...

So, all in all, I didn't hate the production, but I didn't love it either. I thought it was serviceable, entertaining, and a bit underwhelming. Many, many people left during intermission claiming it was incredibly boring (which it is at times) and they couldn't keep their eyes open. I didn't find it that painful, but I did think that it was a welcome respite from current Broadway revivals like GREASE that are just terribly mounted. It's a fine production.

*** out of ****

Last night, I caught SPRING AWAKENING for the third time and found it to still be in tip-top shape. Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff have grown immeasurably in their roles, the entire cast was really on the ball, and the show seemed as relevant and entertaining and gorgeous as ever. If anyone wants to know any other specifics, ask and I'd be more than happy to answer.

**** out of ****

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 2:27pm

Thanks for the review!!!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 2:35pm

Many, many people left during intermission claiming it was incredibly boring (which it is at times) and they couldn't keep their eyes open.

I think a great deal of people who feel that way do so in reaction to the show, and not to the production on its own. Sunday is always going to be seen, by some, as too dense, heady, intellectual, abstract, whatever. It's just not a mass-appeal kind of piece.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 3:10pm

Good point, emcee.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 3:18pm

My mom felt that way, and she was in fact totally in awe of the production, technically speaking. She just thought the shy was boring, and yes, almost fell asleep.

Updated On: 4/24/08 at 03:18 PM

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 3:19pm

Yeah, I went with my mom too and she stood in the lobby for the second act and counted over 20 people walk out. She said she could barely stay awake

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 3:22pm

Thank you for your reviews!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 7:21pm

I guess it's just a matter of taste. I find most of Spring Awakening to be incredibly boring, but find Sunday in the Park to be so engaging.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 8:10pm

Oh, I also have to comment on the audience at SA. Most of them were over 50 and extremely unengaged and unenthusiastic. It wasn't until TOTALLY F*CKED and the second act when they started to be a bit more responsive...and there were a few empty seats scattered here and there but it seemed pretty full. While SITPWG on the other hand was full until intermission when at least 15 people that I could see got up and left.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 4/24/08 at 8:52pm

I guess it's just a matter of taste. I find most of Spring Awakening to be incredibly boring, but find Sunday in the Park to be so engaging.

I'm with you. I was completely enthralled for all of Sunday. I think it's such a stunningly beautiful show. And totally not a fan of SA.

But I agree that Sunday is not mass appeal - unfortunately. I can see how it wouldn't appeal to some people.